89 Burb Eval - Should I or not?

[swissarmychainsaw]

I'm going to go look at an 1989 GMC Burb tomorrow, and want to know what I should look for.

Sounds like the guy dropped some coin making it off-road worthy.
Here are the specs:
145K miles
4x4
350 TBI & (TH3550) it seems weird not to have an 700R4
[ I just rebuilt my 84 chev 700r4 and don't want to go through that again ]
1 Ton axels frnt and rear
Dana60 Front with hi-pinion AND hydraulic assist steering.
14 Bolt Rear with disk brakes. 3.73 gearing
Line Lock.
Dual Shocks on all corners.
Frame reinforced at Steering Box.
44 Gal tank (transplant)
Front and rear hitch
off road bumpers
4" lift

Interior sounds basic and rough but the rest of it sounds ready to climb over something! Crank windows, no ac or flash from what it sounds like.

Owned chevy trucks but never a burb... Burb owners help me out, what to look for?

I have never owned TBI, and I just had to rebuild the 700R4 in my chevy truck (don't want to do that again!)

Any weaknesses of the 1989s I should know?
thanks!
--Nick

[68Timber]

What xfer case? It sounds ok but really need pics. Wouldn't want dual shocks though, unless they're specifically valved for dual shock applications at that weight.

[swissarmychainsaw]

Here's the AD, have a look:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/3624459020.html

[68Timber]

The only things I see is the front and rear fenders are bobbed, the front doors are cut for speakers, and the roof has been drilled for the roof rack - lots of chances for leaks there. The fender flares appear to be attached with screws or rivets, but maybe not. Semi-floating rear 14-bolt? For the upgraded suspension and axles, you could probably buy it and part it and come out ahead out if all the drivetrain is good. But hard to tell, can't see any of that. Quad shocks all around make me want to see underneath. But might be an OK deal, what do you want to do with it?

[Mr. 250r]

it kind of looks like it has a full float but the pictures don't show the wheels very well... and how did he get a high pinion passenger side drop because it is clearly a passenger drop did ford or dodge make one because i don't remember gm ever making one except a very heavy duty one

[swissarmychainsaw]

So I looked at it tonight. Nicest guy in the world.

The lift kit is really tall. Dude said 4" but I think the door handles are like neck height.
I would want to put something less than that in there.

There were some kind of fender flares on it, baja something?

Funny thing is that none of the doors worked very well, you have to slam the crap out of them, and they sound really hollow. Rear gate was all catchy too. Windows rolling up and down were funky.
My Silverado's doors close like brand new. It's hard to believe they came from the same factory! Is it that hard to get the doors to shut without slamming them? LMC Truck to the rescue?

The model was 2500 SLX ( i believe) is that a base model? It seemed to have cloth seats (front was vinyl and non-matching); rear was nearly perfect. AC but it was missing. Engine compartment was not pretty, a bit rusty, like living near the coast. Same with the running gear. Not bad ( this is california, after all) but not "clean".
Shocks and all are bout 10 years old (When he built it).

I have to say, lots of cosmetic stuff wrong, but it's pretty bad-ass.

The burban is HUGE inside. Jez-o-pete. I think the whole family can camp in there!

Funny side note: My mom was visiting and she went with me. She kept asking "where you going to park it?" I'm thinking a bad boy rig like this you park it where ever you like!
She's like "you can't park it in front of the house". I guess it's not pretty after all...

[TheApocalyptican]

Originally Posted by swissarmychainsaw

Funny thing is that none of the doors worked very well, you have to slam the crap out of them, and they sound really hollow. Rear gate was all catchy too. Windows rolling up and down were funky.
My Silverado's doors close like brand new. It's hard to believe they came from the same factory! Is it that hard to get the doors to shut without slamming them? LMC Truck to the rescue?

Replaced the door strikers and bushings and positioned them better and lubed the hinges on my Suburban. Made all the difference in the world between needing to slam the door vs shut it. That coupled with new door pins(which I still intend to do on mine), and the doors should work like new on that Suburban.

[Jonboy]

Looking at the ad, If you were going to buy it, I would try to score the BFG's he has listed for a little less than asking for the Sub. It doesn't look too bad, though. Definitely a beast!

[swissarmychainsaw]

Dude said he would do the whole she-bang for 2500, which seems like a deal.

The BFG were in good shape.

I passed just because it WAY more Rig than I need. It's way more of a crawler than a cruiser! It's bad ass though and the guy was really cool.
Thanks everyone!
--Nick

[Mr. 250r]

i still want to know what front axle that was, did he retube a ford hp60? use a new center section or what... this is really confusing lol